"I will listen to the voices of the public as we push forward full preparations for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Thursday.
"We can't help but do something amid the increasing total construction cost and the opposition of the public," a government source said Wednesday. "We will review the plan."
A focal point of the review is determining how to tackle two gigantic arches, which are the main feature of the current stadium design and the biggest factor behind the huge construction costs.
A plan to cut costs by changing building materials and construction methods is considered to be likely, while some are calling for holding another international design competition for the stadium.
If the current plan is fully reviewed, the new stadium will not be completed in time for the Rugby World Cup in September 2019. The stadium is to be a major venue for the rugby event.
There is also concern that if another competition is held and trouble arises again as a result, it would impact the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
The government will carefully consider whether to cut the total construction cost by reviewing part of the current plan or drastically overhauling the plan.
"No doubt, it is imperative that a certain review of the plan be conducted," said Toshihiro Nikai, chairman of the General Council of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, during a recording of a BS Nippon's program "Shinso NEWS" on Wednesday.
Hideki Niwa, state minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology, and others met with LDP Secretary General Sadakazu Tanigaki and other LDP members in the four top leadership positions on Wednesday to explain why the total construction cost has increased so much. The LDP members reportedly said the ministry should carefully explain the details of the situation.
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